Saturday, September 7, 2013

Triplets of Faith: Gospel of the Kingdom



As we have seen, there are three true Gospels in various Biblical dispensations, the Gospel of the Kingdom (Matthew 24:14), the Gospel of Grace (Acts 20:24), and the Everlasting Gospel (Revelation 14:6-7). “Gospel” means “Good News” for those who have faith that God is Who He says He is and will do what He says He will do, but judgment to those who do not (2 Corinthians 2:14-17).

The Gospel of the Kingdom (Matthew 24:14), directed to the Jews and to the nation of Israel, itself has three aspects. It was proclaimed, it was renewed, and it will be fulfilled. As was foretold by prophets such as Isaiah, Daniel, and Ezekiel (Isaiah 9:6-7, Daniel 9:25-26) there would be a Messiah Who would deliver the Jews. They would return to the Promised Land from being scattered across the earth (Ezekiel 37:21-28), and the King would establish His Kingdom, reigning from the everlasting Throne of David (1 Kings 9:5; Isaiah 9:6-7; 16:5) in perfect peace, justice, and righteousness.

As prophesied by Isaiah (Mark 1:Luke 3:4, John 1:23), the Gospel of the Kingdom was proclaimed by John the Baptist, who preached to those from Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region around Jordan that the Kingdom of God was at hand (Matthew 3:1-6). John therefore asked men to repent, or to turn from their sins, to prepare the way of the Lord, or to make His paths straight, and to be baptized (Mark 1:2-5; Luke 3:2-6),

John’s message was that Jesus Christ was the promised Son of God, the Lamb of God, and the righteous Judge Who would baptize not with water but with the Holy Ghost and with fire (Mark 1:1,7, 8,11; Luke 3:16-17; John 1:15-36).

Three times an angel told of the Gospel of the Kingdom: to Zacharias, to the virgin Mary, and to the shepherds. Gabriel told Zacharias that his wife Elizabeth would bear John the Baptist, who would be filled with the Holy Ghost, lead the hearts of the Jews to repentance, and make ready a people prepared for the Lord (Luke 1:15-17). Gabriel told the virgin Mary that God would establish a Kingdom on earth to be ruled by her Son Jesus, the promised Descendant of David (Luke 1:31-33), At Jesus’ birth the angel told the shepherds the “good tidings of great joy” that He was Savior, Christ, and Lord (Luke 3:10-11).

During His earthly ministry, the Kingdom Gospel was proclaimed by Jesus Himself (Matthew 4:23; 9:35; Mark 1:14-15); then by the 12 apostles (Matthew 10:5-8) and by the seventy (Luke 10:1-6). Jesus preached that the time was fulfilled for the kingdom of God, and that people should repent and believe the gospel (Mark 1:15). Once again, the crux of salvation was faith, or belief that what God said was true. The twelve and the seventy preached a simpler message: that the Kingdom of God was at hand.

During Jesus’ first coming, however, most of the Jews failed to recognize Jesus as their promised Messiah, and He was rejected, betrayed and crucified. Fulfillment of Christ’s Kingdom was therefore put on hold, as prophesied by Daniel in his reference to the gap between the 69th and 70th week when the Messiah would be “cut off” (Daniel 9:24-27), before He would ultimately be anointed King.

During the 70th “week,” or seven-year period of the Tribulation, the prophet Elijah will return in a role parallel to that of John the Baptist, preparing the hearts of men to recognize that Christ’s return to fulfill the Gospel of the Kingdom is at hand (Malachi 4:5-6; Revelation 11:3-12).

This Gospel will be renewed or repeated during the Tribulation (Matthew 24:14;), once the Church has been raptured and God again deals with the nation of Israel, who rejected their Messiah in His first coming. During the Tribulation, the Kingdom Gospel will be preached to all nations before it ends with the glorious second coming of Christ in power.

Another aspect of Christ will then be revealed -- not the sacrificial Lamb and the humble Servant as in His first coming, but as King of Kings, Lord of Lords, and Righteous Judge (1 Timothy 6:15; Revelation 17:14; 19:11,16; Psalm 72:2; 96:10,13; 2 Timothy 4:8). Ultimately He will reign forever in perfect peace and harmony, so the Jews will have their Messianic promise of the Kingdom Gospel fulfilled. 

As we shall see next time, the church, composed of those who were saved by placing their faith in the Gospel of Grace, will have eternal life in Heaven as the bride of Christ. May we add to those in Him by witnessing of God’s mercy, love and grace until He comes again!


© 2013 Laurie Collett
Photo 2009 by John Stephen Dwyer of Tiffany stained glass depicting John the Baptist

children's ministry blogs

Bible
Top 1000
Adorned From Above
No Ordinary Blog Hop
 

20 comments:

Nadwrażliwiec said...

So it is different Gospel of the Kingdom, than it is taught by leaders of the Faith Movement. Sometimes I ask myself, if we read the same Bible...
Yes, Jews also had their Gospel - Gospel for them. It is sad, that most of them reject Jesus. Friend of my leader from my church was in Israel and she told, that circa 70% Israelis are in reality atheists. Greetings from cold (for me) Poland :)

Frank E. Blasi said...

Dear Laurie,
Thanks for sharing such a highlighting post. When Jesus said that the Kingdom is at hand, we tend to think that the door of Heaven will at last be opened by the atonement he made on the cross. In fact, when I come to think of it, the Kingdom Jesus was referring to was the literal Kingdom of Israel with the throne of David restored.
Yet I find it amazing that "his own received him not" and was sent to the cross instead - God's ultimate plan already prophesied long ago to bring us (non Jews) to our eternal home.

Laurie Collett said...

Thanks, Denise! God bless,
Laurie

Laurie Collett said...

Yes, Zim, salvation for the Jews (before Jesus' resurrection) was through the Kingdom Gospel, but now Jews & Gentiles alike are saved through the Gospel of Grace. It is sad that there are now so many atheists in Israel.
Glad you are safely back in Poland and that you had a good journey.
Greetings & blessings,
Laurie

Laurie Collett said...

Dear Frank,
Yes, we must be careful to rightly divide the Word of truth and to differentiate God's plan for Israel and words to the Jews from His plan for and words to the Church.
Thanks as always for your thoughtful comment, & God bless.
Laurie

Donald Fishgrab said...

The Kingdom of God is a kingdom where God is king. As Christians, we can live there by faith, even while still on this earth by surrendering to him but it will not be completely fulfilled until he fulfills his promises to Israel. Israel's rejection of it allows us Christians to get in first. The three gospels are three basic truths about God's plan.

Ceil said...

Hi Laurie! I pray that I will be ready for the Lord when he comes. And I pray that I will be ready for him when he comes through others today. May we all create the Kingdom of God today.

Peace,
Ceil

Brenda said...

Yes Laurie,
as it states in Matthew ch.24 v.14 'And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.' every one will hear the gospel of the kingdom. Praise the Lord.

Laurie Collett said...

Amen, Donald! Thanks as always for your comment, & God bless.
Laurie

Laurie Collett said...

Amen, Ceil, may we ready for Him and let Him work through us until He comes again!
Thanks for your comment, and may you have a blessed week in Him!

Laurie Collett said...

Praise God that He will come again, and that His mercy and grace extend to us (through the Gospel of Grace), as well as to Israel through the Gospel of the Kingdom.
Thanks, Brenda, for your comment, & may you have a blessed week in Him!
Laurie

Anonymous said...

Amen.. We all have to pray and have faith in our Lord.
And God Bless u, and as always great post.

Laurie Collett said...

Thanks, craftyspices, for your sweet comment and for hosting! God bless you too!
Laurie

Michell Pulliam said...

Amen Laurie! We're commissioned to seek and save the lost until His return! Thanks for linking up...have a blessed weekend!!

Laurie Collett said...

Thanks, Michell, for hosting & for your lovely comment! May we continue to spread the Good News until He returns! May you have a blessed week in Him,
Laurie

BARBIE said...

Thank you for linking up with The Weekend Brew! I love how you bring the Word and break it down.

Laurie Collett said...

Thanks, Barbie, for hosting & for your sweet comment!
God bless,
Laurie

Laurie Collett said...

Dear Readers,
The comment below is from my friend Bud Snedeker, who is not on Blogger but who commented by email. I always appreciate his insights.

Loved your blog on the kingdom - Sept 7. One suggestion is to reference Matthew 23:

Israel rejects Jesus as their Messiah

37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!

Israel laid desolate, put aside for a later date.

38 Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.

Israel can be restored if they meet Jesus' requirement

39 For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.

Unknown said...

What fabulous triplets here! Love God's Word!
Thanks for sharing at Essential Fridays.
Blessings
Mel from Essential Thing Devotions

Laurie Collett said...

Thanks so much, Mel, for your sweet comment and for hosting!
Hope you are having a blessed week in Him,
Laurie